Honorary Members of the Group グループの名誉会員 President
Jeff Clarke
Executive Vice-Presidents
Life Vice-Presidents
Mr R Horner, Mrs J Nurser, Mr M Evatt, Mr J Brough
Mr R Baker, Mrs M McCaskie
Mrs A J Digby Mr N Edwards Mrs P Halliwell Mrs K S Sargent
Rev. M Beech Mrs F Bramhill Mrs P Brough Mr A Hanley Mr J F Henley Mrs E P Hepworth
Mrs L Hurst-Brown Mr T Hurst-Brown Mrs M Parrish Mr D Spence Mr S Watterson
Life Members Lesley Baker Dot Bailey Patricia Brooks John Brough Heather Capper Tony Capper Jane Chatburn Mike Evatt Roy Horner
Friends of Gilbert & Sullivan ‘FROGS’
Patrons
Vice-Presidents
Myfanwy Kimberley June Nurser John Rickerd Jacqui Stanton Mike Timbrell Liz Tinston Alan Tremaine Cliff Tremaine Keith Wills
Mrs A P Blunt Mr G R Hancock Mrs B Howells Mr A Landmann Mr K Steggles Mr A Walker
Council of Management Chair: Secretary: Treasurer: Business Manager: Social Secretary: Council Members:
Group Archivist
Group Bookings We would like to acknowledge the following group bookings: Mr Mike Gray Mrs June Nurser Mrs Barbara Farmly - Barby WI Mrs Jane Underwood - Blisworth WI Dr Sue Abbott Braunston Marina Northampton Cathedral Choir Acknowledgments Boothville Community Centre for the provision of rehearsal space St Crispin Retirement Village for the provision of rehearsal space Royal & Derngate Theatre for their co-operation and support Costumes by the Costume Store Wigs by Patsy Page Phill Abbott for the design and construction of the Mikado set James Newby Music for orchestrations Sarah Crask for co-ordination of properties Simon Crask for the programme design and collation Simon Crask for publicity design Yukiyo Ohashi for the Mikado symbol artwork Sarah Crask for programme photography Local press and radio for their continued interest and support Our innumerable other helpers both backstage and front of house
Sue Abbott Angela Shash Simon Crask David Pridgeon Sarah Crask Mike Gray Wendy Gosset Tom Pearson Andrew Wilson Sarah Crask
Royal Address 王室のアドレス Even if you haven’t heard of Gilbert & Sullivan, the chances are you will have heard of The Mikado. It is not only by far the most successful work of the famous collaborators, it was for many years the world’s most valuable theatrical property. Though it was fiercely guarded by the D’Oyly Carte Company there were many “spin-offs”: The Hot Mikado, The Cool Mikado, The Black Mikado, and The Swing Mikado, to name just a few. The central role of Ko-Ko has been enjoyed by comedians from Eric Idle to Dudley Moore to Groucho Marx; and productions of the show still bring welcome box office income to the coffers of many international opera companies. And it is not hard to see why. Its combination of wit and satire are perfectly matched to Sullivan’s most tuneful and sparkling score, so that every number is a classic. Is it about Japan? Of course not. And unlike most of the other operas, it is not really about England either. Its satire is universal. Is there a country in the world where there hasn’t been an over-zealous minister who is faced with a conflict of interests? Where political support can be bought rather than earned? Where a lie has not led to a catastrophic problem, whose only solution is, well, drastic? Every G&S company relishes the chance to perform The Mikado, and I am sure we are in for a wonderful evening (or afternoon) from our splendid company of G&S performers. There couldn’t be a better venue than the Royal Theatre for a show like this, and I am sure that the Northampton G&S Group are going to delight us once again with this show, - one of the greatest musicals ever written, and a masterpiece of English Theatre.
Jeff Clarke President JEFF CLARKE is artistic director of Opera Della Luna, the country’s only full time professional company specialising in comic opera and operetta. As well as 5 of the G&S canon, the company has created new productions of La Bella Hélène, Robinson Crusoe, The Tales of Hoffmann, The Merry Widow, Il Mondo della Luna, L’Elisir d’Amore, UnGiorno di Regno, Die Fledermaus, Don Giovanni and the much acclaimed The Burglar’s Opera which is based on a story by Gilbert, using musical themes from Sullivan’s orchestral output. Jeff has worked for the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Sydney Opera House, Scottish Opera, Lyric Opera of Queensland and the State Opera of South Australia.
It is hard to believe that I am once again putting pen to paper for my programme notes. The time has simply flown by since our highly acclaimed 60th Anniversary production of HMS Pinafore in January 2014, which was 15 months ago! The main change for this year is that we have been seen our 61st production, The Mikado, move from the January slot that we have had in recent years, to a slot in March. This has been a significant improvement both from a rehearsal point of view for the cast, and hopefully from an audience point of view as well, as we should have avoided the worst of the winter weather. Once again my thanks go to all the people on the stage and all those backstage, including the theatre staff, for the immense amount of hard work that goes into making our productions a success during the rehearsal period and the week of the show. Finally, I would like to thank you, our audience, for all your continued support and enthusiasm and we hope that you will be supporting again us for our 62nd production of The Yeomen of the Guard!
Sue Abbott Chairman
The Story of the Opera オペラのストーリー Act 1: The show opens in the town of Titipu where the chorus of nobles are joined by Nanki -Poo, who is looking for Yum-Yum, the ward of Ko-Ko. A noble lord named Pish-Tush asks what Nanki-Poo's business is with Yum-Yum, and learns that the minstrel had seen the girl a year ago and they had fallen in love. But Yum-Yum was betrothed to her guardian Ko-Ko, 'a cheap tailor.' However on learning that Ko-Ko was condemned to death for flirting, the minstrel has hurried back to try to claim Yum-Yum. Unfortunately on his return he finds that far from being dead, Ko-Ko has in fact been let out on bail, and appointed Lord High Executioner. There is worse to come as Pooh-Bah, who holds every major office of state, informs Nanki-Poo that Yum-Yum and Ko-Ko are to be married that very day. Yum-Yum and her sisters, Pitti-Sing and Peep-Bo, appear with their schoolfellows. When Yum-Yum finally catches sight of Nanki-Poo he reveals that he is the son of the Mikado, and when they are alone, she admits she does not love her guardian. The two lovers realise that their cause is hopeless, and Yum-Yum leaves Nanki-Poo who then tries to kill himself. Meanwhile, Ko-Ko has received a letter from the Mikado, who threatens to abolish the post of Lord High Executioner and reduce Titipu to the rank of a village unless a beheading takes place within a month. On seeing Nanki-Poo about to 'terminate an unendurable existence,' Ko-Ko points out that suicide is a capital offence, and offers to do the job professionally. Nanki-Poo agrees, on the condition that he can marry Yum-Yum and enjoy one month of married life before he is beheaded. After the execution Ko-Ko will then be able to marry the widowed Yum-Yum. Amidst the celebrations, in storms Katisha and having tracked down the object of her affections, NankiPoo, she threatens to reveal his true identity. She is outshouted by a chorus of Japanese syllables: "O ni! Bikkuri shakkuri to!" (one of the many possible translations of which is "So surprised, we hiccup! Bah!"). However, the town dwellers are not to be deterred and 'joy reigns everywhere around.' Act 2: Opens with Yum-Yum being prepared for her wedding. But soon the awful fact is out that under the Mikado's law the widow of a beheaded man must be buried alive. This places Nanki-Poo in a dilemma; if he holds Yum-Yum to this marriage, she dies a hideous death, and if he releases her she must marry Ko-Ko at once. The marriage is off, and Nanki-Poo determines to do away with himself that afternoon unless Ko-Ko will kill him at once. But it turns out that Ko-Ko can't kill anything. To make matters worse, the Mikado and his suite are approaching the town and will arrive in ten minutes. In desperation Ko-Ko arranges to draw up an affidavit of Nanki-Poo's execution.
The Mikado arrives with Katisha who makes much of being his daughter-in-law elect. When Ko-Ko presents his certificate of execution. The Mikado reads it and says, 'My poor fellow, in your anxiety to carry out my wishes you have beheaded the heir to the throne of Japan!' Ko-Ko and Pooh-Bah find Nanki-Poo and beg him to present himself, alive, to his father, thereby absolving them of his death. But Nanki-Poo, now married to Yum-Yum, is afraid of Katisha's wrath. Unless Ko-Ko will agree to marry the old hag himself, he and Yum-Yum will leave on their honeymoon at once. Katisha, meanwhile, is mourning the death of Nanki-Poo, and when Ko-Ko tries to woo her, she is at first reluctant, but he wins the formidable lady with a pack of flattering lies and a sad, lovelorn song. Katisha adds her powerful pleas to the Mikado for everyone to be pardoned. The Mikado, bewildered by it all, nonetheless pronounces that 'Nothing could possibly be more satisfactory!'
Musical Numbers ミュージカルナンバー Act I
Act II
1. Overture (The Titipu Town Band) 2. If you want to know who we are (Chorus of Men) 3. A wand’ring minstrel I (Nanki-Poo & Chorus) 4. Our great Mikado, virtuous man (Pish-Tush & Chorus of Men) 5. Young man despair, likewise go to (Pooh-Bah, Pish-Tush & Nanki-Poo) 5a. And have I journeyed for a month (Pooh-Bah & Nanki-Poo) 6. Behold the Lord High Executioner (Chorus of Men & Ko-Ko) 6a. As someday it may happen (Ko-Ko & Chorus of Men) 7. Comes a train of little ladies (Chorus of Ladies) 8. Three little maids from school are we (Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, Peep-Bo & Chorus of Ladies) 9. So please you, sir, we much regret (Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing, Peep-Bo, Pooh-Bah & Chorus of Ladies) 10. Were you not to Ko-Ko plighted (Yum-Yum & Nanki-Poo) 11. I am so proud (Pooh-Bah, Ko-Ko & Pish-Tush) 12. Finale, Act I (Company)
1. Braid the raven hair (Pitti-Sing & Chorus of Ladies) 2. The sun, whose rays are all ablaze (Yum-Yum) 3. Brightly dawns our wedding day (Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing Nanki-Poo & Pish-Tush) 4. Here’s a how-de-do! (Yum-Yum, Nanki-Poo & Ko-Ko) 5. Mi-ya-sa-ma, mi-ya-sa-ma (Chorus) 6. A more humane Mikado (Mikado & Chorus) 7. The criminal cried (Pitti-Sing, Ko-Ko, Pooh-Bah & Chorus) 8. The flowers that bloom in the spring (Nanki-Poo ,Ko-Ko , Yum-Yum, Pitti-Sing & Pooh-Bah) 9. Alone and yet alive (Katisha) 10. On a tree by a river (Ko-Ko) 11. There is beauty in the bellow of the blast (Katisha & Ko-Ko) 12. Finale, Act II (Company)
Cast キャスト The Mikado of Japan Nanki-Poo (his son, disguised as a wandering minstrel) Ko-Ko (Lord High Executioner of Titipu) Pooh-Bah (Lord High Everything Else) Pish-Tush (A Noble Lord) Yum-Yum Pitti-Sing (Three sisters—Wards of Ko-Ko) Peep-Bo Katisha (an elderly Lady, in love with Nanki-Poo)
David Pridgeon Tom Rushton Charles Mills Simon Crask Mike Gray Kathryn Berrill Rosie Kalve Yukiyo Ohashi Ann Whittaker
School-Girls, Ladies, Nobles and Guards of Titipu Suzanna Bishop, Charles Bown, Cheryl Anne Bown, Christina Bown, Ken Brand, Caroline Butler, Kate Bygrave, Roy Collins, Hannah Crockatt, Georgia Grande, David Jenkins, Wendy LeVaast, Richard Lilleyman, Deanna Linnell, Alison Mead, Amy Mead, Kim Phillips, Andrew Rushton, Ron Sheffield, Rick Tavener, Hannah Thomas, Alan Tremaine, Clifford Tremaine, Garry Warr, Andrew Wilson, Kelly Wilson.
Cast & Creative キャスト＆クリエイティブ Creatives Director Musical Director Choreographer Accompanists
Lighting Designer Stage Manager Deputy Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Set Designer Wardrobe Mistress Assistant Wardrobe Mistress Make-up Director Make-up Assistants
The Titipu Town Band Tim Hurst-Brown David Chambers Vicky Foreman Angela Mayes Sue Rayment Anne Whittaker Liam Matthews Duncan Mitchell Katie Di Steffano Phill Abbott Sarah Crask Phill Abbott Angela Shash Kelly Wilson Sarah Crask Caroline Hammond Becky Spokes Kate Bygrave Caroline Butler Vicky Foreman
Leader Second Violin Viola Cello Bass Flute Oboe Clarinets Trumpet Trombone Percussion
Ladies & Gentlemen of the Chorus レディース＆コーラスの紳士
Carolyn Nash Anthony Minards John Wynne Margaret Littlecott Corrine Malitskie Roy Littlecott Christine Monk Jo Bell Simon Cooper Peter Dunkley Naomi Muller Charles Manning Marshall Edwards Alison Copson
Cast Profiles キャストプロフィール David Pridgeon - The Mikado Joined the Northampton G&S Group chorus for its 2008 Production of the “Mikado” and the following year took part in the groups production of the “Sorcerer”. David’s first principal part was as the Sergeant of Police (Pirates of Penzance) followed by the part of Sir Roderick Murgatroyd (Ruddigore). At the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival David took the principal role of Sergeant Pincher (The Emerald Isle). David has sung with the chorus in the Northampton Festival Opera productions of the “Pearl Fishers” and “Marta” and is currently a member of the Northampton Musical Theatre Company concert group. David studies singing with soprano Alison Roddy. Tom Rushton - Nanki-Poo Tom has been singing since his involvement in the school choir and annual appearances with Bedford Choir. At the same time he became part of a barbershop quartet and competed at the BABS Festival in 2014. Tom has been developing his tenor voice and is extremely proud to have won the Wellingborough Young Musician of the Year competition in 2013. Last year saw Tom’s introduction to Gilbert & Sullivan and musical theatre, initially as part of the chorus in The Gondoliers and Calamity Jane in Leicester, before taking his first lead role as Nanki-Poo (The Mikado) in the Youth Production at the 2014 International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Harrogate. Tom is looking forward to reprising this role with Northampton Gilbert & Sullivan Group. Charles Mills - Ko-K0 Charles started performing in musical theatre while working in New Zealand and has been a regular performer since returning to the UK in 1986. He tackles a range of styles with enthusiasm - from Gilbert & Sullivan to Sondheim to The Full Monty (twice). His favourite role has been the Emcee in Cabaret. Charles also sings with a chamber choir in Bedford and is relatively fresh from his first ever pantomime dame as Queen Bea in Sleeping Beauty. Simon Crask - Pooh-Bah Simon joined the Northampton Gilbert & Sullivan Group in 1991 for Ruddigore, HMS Pinafore and The Zoo. Following a ten year gap, Simon returned to the chorus for the Pirates of Penzance in 2002. His first minor principal role was as Scynthius (Princess Ida). Since then Simon has performed the roles of Luiz (Gondoliers), Grosvenor, (Patience), Thomas Brown (The Zoo), Captain Corcoran (HMS Pinafore), Jack Point (Yeomen of the Guard), Ko Ko (The Mikado), John Wellington Wells (The Sorcerer), Major-General Stanley (Pirates), Robin Oakapple (Ruddigore), Giuseppe Palmieri (Gondoliers), Private Willis (Iolanthe) and most recently reprised his role as Captain Corcoran in the 60th anniversary production. At the International G&S Festival, Buxton, Simon has taken lead roles as The Sultan (The Rose of Persia), The Earl of Essex (Merrie England), Rupert (Haddon Hall), Mr Griggs, (The Contrabandista) and Pat Murphy, (The Emerald Isle). Simon also sings with a small group, Musicality, and plays classical guitar. Mike Gray - Pish-Tush Mike joined the Group in 1995 and has performed most of the baritone roles since then, including Pooh-Bah (Mikado), The Pirate King (Pirates), Giuseppe (Gondoliers), Florian (Princess Ida), Colonel Calverley (Patience), Lord Mountararat (Iolanthe), Sir Marmaduke Pointedexter (Sorcerer), Sir Despard Murgatroyd and Robin Oakapple (Ruddigore), along with early tenor roles; Frederick (Pirates) and Ralph Rackstraw (HMS Pinafore). His roles with Arts Barn G&S Society include Pish-Tush (Mikado), Don Alhambra (Gondoliers), Sir Richard Cholmondley (Yeomen) and Major–General Stanley (Pirates). Mike has also performed internationally, appearing with the original D’Oyly Carte principals in a production of HMS Pinafore in San Francisco in 1997, and in a performance of Trial by Jury in Gettysburg in 2010. He has also performed several lead roles at the International G&S festival in Buxton. Mike has performed throughout the UK and in France and Belgium. Production credits include Trial by Jury at Buxton in 2011, and the Northampton Gilbert & Sullivan Group’s 60th Anniversary gala concert. Kathryn Berrill - Yum Yum Kathryn has been involved in amateur theatre in Northampton since she was 16, performing with Masque Theatre, Park Avenue Players and The Northampton Gilbert and Sullivan Group. Notable roles include Susanna Shakespeare (The Herbal Bed), Monica (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie), Beatrice (A View from the Bridge) Mrs Molloy (The Matchmaker), Jo (Little Women), Leila (Iolanthe), Zorah (Ruddigore), Sacharissa (Princess Ida), Kate (The Pirates of Penzance), Pitti Sing (The Mikado), Phoebe Meryll (The Yeoman of the Guard), Tessa (The Gondoliers) and Cousin Hebe (HMS Pinafore). Kathryn was also the choreographer of the Group’s 2013 production of Iolanthe which was a runner up in the NODA ‘Best Musical’ Award. In April of this year, Kathryn will be part of the choir performing ‘According to Mary’ at Peterborough Cathedral. Kathryn studies with acclaimed soprano, Alison Roddy.
Cast Profiles キャストプロフィール Rosie Kalve - Pitti-Sing Rosie currently studies with Alison Roddy, and has also studied musical theatre at Central School of Speech and Drama (London). She has performed in operas with Northampton Festival Opera, and has sung solo roles for Northampton Gilbert and Sullivan and Wellingborough Arts Barn, including Phoebe Meryll (Yeoman of the Guard), Peep Bo (The Mikado) and Iolanthe (Iolanthe). She has sung with the Northampton BBC (radio) and the Northampton Male Voice Choir. Rosie sings oratorio with the Carey Singers and is currently training to be a teacher. Ann Whittaker - Katisha Ann first started singing with the Splott Operatic Society, in Cardiff, at the age of fifteen. She is a retired teacher of Music and Drama who first joined the group in 2001 going on to sing various roles including Ruth (Pirates of Penzance), Buttercup (H.M.S. Pinafore), Duchess of Plaza Toro (The Gondoliers) and Dame Carruthers (Yeoman of the Guard). Ann has also appeared with Northampton Amateurs, Philharmonic Choir, Lings Players, Central Festival Opera (Fifteen years including a fortnight playing in La Boheme at Holland Park) and is currently a member of Northampton Bach Choir. Yukiyo Ohashi - Peep-Bo Yukiyo joined the group as a member of the chorus for the 2013 production, Iolanthe, and returned for the anniversary production of HMS Pinafore. Peep-Bo is her first principal role. Yukiyo currently studies with Alison Roddy.
Creative Profiles 創造的なプロファイル Tim Hurst-Brown - Director was a chorister at Peterborough Cathedral where he was trained by Dr. Stanley Vann. During his time in the choir, Tim frequently took part in choral evensong broadcast on BBC Radio 3, sang on several recordings, toured France and Germany, and was privileged to sing at the funeral of Sir Malcolm Sargent. After gaining his teaching qualifications, he taught English and Drama for many years before turning freelance and was Director of Drama in an independent school. Tim has been teaching Speech and Drama since 1986 and currently works at Oakham School, Copthill Preparatory School, and Bourne Grammar School. Some of his former pupils are now performing on television and in the theatre. Tim has directed a diverse range of plays, pantomimes, musicals and light opera (specifically the Gilbert and Sullivan works) and has been involved with many aspects of theatre work as a performer, director, adviser, teacher and adjudicator. A Gilbert and Sullivan enthusiast from a young age, Tim has played almost every leading bass and baritone role in the Savoy Operas. He has worked with several members of the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company and performed under the baton of the former D’Oyly Carte musical director Fraser Goulding. Tim is the Artistic Director of ‘The Wandering Minstrels’, a highly sought-after concert group that presents Gilbert and Sullivan evenings. Together with the pianist Peter Hewitt, Tim regularly presents a popular two-man show entitled "The Story of Gilbert and Sullivan", which has been staged at numerous theatres and arts centres all over the UK. David Chambers - Musical Director began conducting at Bretton Hall College and continued his studies at various conducting summer schools, most notably at Canford, under the renowned conductor George Hurst. David began conducting musicals in the 1980’s with the Northampton Footlights and Irchester Players and concerts with the Northampton Amateur Operatic Concert Group. In 1987 David joined the orchestra as oboist and in 1995 he was appointed musical director for the Group and in 2006 he became conductor of The Northampton Concert Orchestra. The Mikado will be his 21 st production with the company.
Vicky Foreman - Choreographer Vicky first started dancing at the age of 4 at the Mayhew School of Dancing, completing 5 Ballet grades in the 7 years she attended. From there Vicky joined an amateur dramatics group partaking in dancing, acting and singing. It was whilst she was with this group she discovered her love of performing. Vicky moved on to a theatre school where she learned to danced and choreograph. During the 6 years at the school Vicky learned to perform jazz, tap, contemporary and street dance, additionally she taught adults and children and choreographed routines for large performances. Whilst at the theatre school Vicky undertook contracted dance work at the Great Dorset Steam Fair and was part of the 'Passion Dancers' troupe for 4 years dancing on a grand steam powered organ stage. Vicky has completed a 3 year dance degree at the University of Northampton and has since set up her own business teaching after school dance to primary school children. Vicky says she is very lucky to be able to do what she loves for a living, freelance dancing and teaching, and is delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the Northampton Gilbert & Sullivan Group.
In Rehearsal リハーサルでは、
Our 2016 Production 当社の2016年の生産
Do you Sing? We are looking for new members to join us for our 2016 production of Yeomen of the Guard. For more information please visit our website www.northamptongandsgroup.co.uk
Previous Productions 前生産
Programme covers from our previous productions
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